Mandela’s Muslim Grandson Bans Alcohol

Mandla Mandela

The eldest grandson of late Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, has banned the sale of alcoholic drinks from his village. The 42 year old was made the king of Mvedo in eastern cape-town which happens to be a predominantly Christian town by Nelson Mandela in 2007. Mandla who embraced Islam in February 2016 has however said that the new move has no religious under-tone. He said his decision was humanitarian considering the harmful effects alcohol has on the society, he explained his point by referring to the death of his own father. He said, “One of the direct causes or influences of his death was alcohol. He told me and Ndaba [Mandla's younger brother] that we must look at him as an example that alcohol is bad, that we must never drink alcohol.” Mandla’s father died of AIDS in 2005. So far, Mandla has instructed bars and local pubs to stop selling alcohol on the land, he has also banned trucks carrying alcohol from coming into the town.

Salman al-Farsi (The Good)

Salman al-Farisi was a seeker of Truth, he grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia in the village of Jayyan. His father was the chief of the village and was the richest person there. Salman’s father loved him more than any other person so he kept me at home, in the same way that young girls were kept. Salman became devoted to the Magian religion so much so that he attained the position of custodian of the fire which they worshipped. His duty was to see that the flames of the fire remained burning day and night. Salman came across a group of Christians and was attracted to their religion. His father feared that he might leave the religion of their fore-fathers, he kept Salman in

Scotland’s First Family of Hijab Wearing Officers

In the month of June of 2016, police Scotland announced that it was incorporating the hijab as part of the police uniform to accommodate women from the Muslim community who shun the job. That seems to be yielding results as a Muslim woman, Shafqat Rafi and her daughter, Aleena Rafi have gotten to the final stages of becoming police officers. Shafqat, 50, said, “Sometimes people just see the hijab and not what is underneath. Our religion teaches us to help each other, Islam means peace.” Her daughter, Aleena, 19, in a joyful mood said, “People have stereotypes about people from ethnic minorities wearing a hijab - that they are oppressed or forced to wear it. People will see we can do anything - it doesn’t make us any less able.” Police Scotland justified its move last year saying minority groups in the country are poorly represented in the force; hence the need to make adjustments that will encourage minorities (especially Muslims) to join. A department in the force call Positive Action Team which is run by Chief Inspector Ann Bell has been established to help entice people from minority backgrounds. The Chief Inspector said, “Whenever we mention the introduction of the hijab at events in the community there’s a round of applause - it has been really really well received”.

Philipino Muslim Community To Establish First Rehab

In an effort to assist government re-incorporate drug addicts into the society, the Ayala foundation has signed a partnership deal with the Marawi city government and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Minandao (ARMM) which will see the establishment of the Philippines’s first ever Muslim-community based rehab center. The facility which has been hinted will be called ‘Siyapen’ which means ‘care’ in Maranao, will have bed space for 70 in-patients but will also provide services to out-patients. Siyapen which will be occupying an already existing building owned by the city government of Marawi, will provide opportunities for the patients to engage in re-creational activities and also enjoy visits from loved ones which helps the recovery process. The proximity of the facility to a Masjid and a close coordination with the Imam is hoped will enhance the spiritual cleansing of the patients. The construction arm of Ayala Land Inc; Makati Development Corp (MDC) will refurbish the facility from January to April after which the facility will be handed over to the city government of Marawi. The president of the Ayala Foundation, Ruel Manaran said during the signing ceremony, “In building Siyapen, we hope to provide a space where person-centered recovery is made first priority, thereby paving the way for meaningful reintegration into society. We believe that the Siyapen Center will contribute significantly to the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents in ARMM, primarily in Marawi City”. Marawi is estimated to have over 600 drug addicts.

Nigerian Police: Why Can't Muslims Show Islam?

Logo: Nigerian Police Force

Most Nigerians alive today have never seen a police man wearing a beard irrespective of his religious inclinations, neither have we ever seen a female officer wearing a scarf, in a nut shell, asides the name tags on uniforms, there is absolutely nothing to show that Muslim officers are  proud of their faith. This has cause many upright Muslims in Nigeria to shun serving in the military and paramilitary agencies. Due to the trust and reliability that Muslims have showed over the years, Western nations are devising various means to entice Muslims to join their military and paramilitary bodies. On November 28 2016, the police Commissioner for New York City, James P. O’Neil announced that the NYPD was making adjustments to their dress code which saw Muslim and Sikh officers being granted the right to grow their beards and even wear the turban if they so wish.  This came after an earlier episode in New York when a judge ruled on June 22 2016 that a Muslim officer, Masood Syed, be reinstated and paid damages after he was suspended for growing his beard. Islamic appearance for female officers should not be left out, in June 2016; the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) gave its approval for female Muslim police officers to wear the hijab as part of their uniform. As has been proven in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and the likes, the length or thickness of the beard has absolutely nothing to with one’s ability to operate an AK-47, a magnum or even an RPG. In confirmation of this, on January 3 2017, the U.S. Army released new regulations that would allow Muslim soldiers grow their beards (males) and even wear the hijab (females). But, how comes in most countries of the world including Nigeria; military and paramilitary male officers are prohibited from keeping their beards regardless of their religious beliefs but are allowed to grow their moustache? Is the beard and moustache not composed of the same organic matter called hair? Besides, the constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion. Non-Muslims in Nigeria or anywhere else do not have the constitutional right to stop Muslim military personnel from showing their religious beliefs just as Muslims do not stop Christian personnel from wearing the crucifix. It should be however implemented that only people belonging to religions that emphasize growing beards or wearing the hijab are allowed to so as is the norm in Western nations where Muslim officers are allowed to practice their faith openly while serving. As for Muslim police officers in New York, they have to seek approval from the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, a Nigerian version can be coined. Looking at the countries that grant these freedoms to Muslim personnel, we see that they are secular countries (even more secular than Nigeria) so no one will be on point to call the implementation of these adjustments in Nigeria an Islamization attempt.

CAUTION
The argument and facts stated above would make many Muslims nod their heads saying, “This is how it should be”. But, coming home to Nigeria where the police are arguably the second most cursed federal government agency after the electric power authorities owing to the heinous crimes the security outfit perpetrates against the masses such as: rape, extrajudicial killings, extortion, e.t.c. some people argue that the introduction of the beard and hijab to the dress code of the military and paramilitary outfits will be a stain on Islam. Imagine the sight of a police officer with a beard or hijab demanding a N20 bribe from you, is this inevitable or not? We also live in an era where there are endless conspiracies against Muslims. Think of the possibility of evil agents disguising as Muslim officers to perpetrate heinous crimes which would be blamed on some ‘devoted Muslim officers’. Would the Muslim community be able to dictate who is allowed to look like a Muslim and otherwise?

Salon For Muslim Women to Open in New York

A New Yorker, Huda Quhshi has been moved by experiences in the past to start a salon for Muslim women even though, she says women from other faiths are also welcome. The 37 year old will be unveiling her salon, Le’Jamalik, on Sunday (in sha ALLAH) which will offer services such as hair dos, pedicures, manicures and henna applications. Huda said she was move to actualize the initiative when she had to hurriedly cover her hair and run to a back room in a salon when a man walked in. It is a sin for non-family members of a matured woman to see her hair without a cogent reason. The Le’Jamalik (‘for your beauty’ in Arabic ) salon will be opening on Sunday in Bay Ridge Brooklyn in New York.

ISESCO Selects Capital City for Islamic Culture for 2017

Official logo of ISESCO

The Islamic Education Scientific Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has named the Iranian city, Mashhad, the capital city for Islamic Culture for the year 2017. Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Reza Salehi Amiri said in a ceremony celebrating the event that the selection of the Iranian city showed the growing unity in the Muslim world. ISESCO’s Deputy Director General, Dr Amina Al Hajri, said the city was chosen due to its contribution to Islamic culture over the years. The ceremony was attended by 250 cultural figures from 51 countries. ISESCO was formed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in May 1979 with 52 member countries and is headquartered in Rabat, Morocco. Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri is the Director General ISESCO, the 66 year old is also the Secretary General of FUIW (Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World).